Summary:
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is the largest global coffee trade association dedicated to making coffee better by fostering a global coffee community and supporting activities to make specialty coffee a thriving, equitable, and sustainable endeavor for the entire value chain. Through collaboration and progressive approaches, it supports the industry through research, standards, education, and events. Working around the world, the SCA elevates worldwide standards, providing value and connectivity to the growing global community.
This role leads global communications for the Specialty Coffee Association. The position focuses on building a strong and consistent brand presence, shaping the organization’s voice, and strengthening relationships across the coffee industry. It oversees strategic communications, media relations, executive and internal messaging, crisis and issues management, and strategy across all owned content channels. The role drives integrated communication efforts across teams, with the goal of elevating SCA’s visibility, influence, and connection to its worldwide community.
Essential Functions:
Strategic Communications
- Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy that elevates brand awareness and reputation.
- Craft messaging frameworks that communicate the organization’s vision, mission, and priorities.
Media & Public Relations
- Build and maintain relationships with journalists, media outlets, and industry influencers.
- Lead proactive media outreach and manage responses to press inquiries.
- Oversee press releases, media kits, and storytelling opportunities.
Executive & Internal Communications
- Support executive leadership with speeches, talking points, presentations, and thought leadership.
- Oversee internal communications programs that keep employees informed, engaged, and aligned.
- Partner with HR and leadership to strengthen organizational culture through communication.
Crisis & Issues Management
- Anticipate potential risks and develop crisis communications protocols.
- Act as a key spokesperson when appropriate and train leadership for high-stakes communications.
Content & Channels
- Oversee content strategy across owned channels (website, newsletters, social media).
- Ensure consistent voice, tone, and brand storytelling across all platforms.
Team & Partner Leadership
- Lead external agencies/consultants.
- Partner closely with marketing, brand, and digital teams for integrated campaigns.
Preferred Skills and Experience: Provide details on skills and experience that are necessary to successfully do the job (some of these bullets may be suitable for your role)
- Minimum of 8–12 years of progressive communications experience, ideally in corporate, nonprofit, or agency environments.
- Proven success in developing communications strategies that drive measurable results.
- Experience leading communications in complex and multicultural environments.
- Background working effectively in remote or distributed teams.
- Strong writing and messaging skills, including strategy documents, speeches, talking points, and press materials.
- Ability to build and maintain relationships with media, influencers, internal leaders, and global stakeholders.
- Confident spokesperson skills and ability to coach others for high visibility or high stakes communication.
- Ability to anticipate risks and develop crisis communication plans.
- Ability to translate organizational goals into communication frameworks and campaigns.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to multi-task and manage your own time, priorities, and resources to achieve goals.
- Consistent attention to detail with strong quality control over messaging, content, and materials.
- Familiarity with managing content across websites, newsletters, and social media channels.
- Strong analytical skills to interpret data and make informed decisions
- Excellent problem-solving abilities to develop effective solutions for complex challenges
- Experience with Microsoft Office 365
Requirements to Perform the Job:
- Ability to work remotely in a productive environment
- Access to internet
- Ability to meet travel frequency, as required
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.